There are programs put in place to help you pay for premiums if you have a low income. Extra Help and Medicare Savings Programs were both created to help you afford premiums. Medicare Savings Programs will help you with Part B premiums and may cover copays and deductibles. MSPs vary from state to state. Extra Help is a federally funded program to help you pay for Part D coverage.

Click here to see a list of different types fo Medicare payment assistance programs.

You can apply three months before you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and three months after you turn 65. This is called your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). You can enroll for Part B coverage up to eight months after you stop working. This small period of time is called Part B Special Enrollment Period (SEP).

If you are eligible for Part B but you do not enroll during the eight-month period, you may face a late enrollment fee. If you do not take advantage of the SEP or IEP, you can enroll anytime during January 1 through March 31 of each year. This is called the General Enrollment Period. Your coverage will start on July first. You are automatically enrolled in Medicare once you have been collecting SS for 24 months or you turn 65.

Part A is free to individuals who have paid into the system for forty+ years. There is a small premium for those who have not worked for forty years. There is a premium for Part B coverage and Part D also requires you to pay a premium. But there are ways to make these insurance plans affordable through with Medicare assistance programs if you have a low income.

If you have medical insurance and do not need Part B coverage, speak to plan’s benefits administrator to discuss what steps you should take about whether or not to enroll in Part B. Then speak to your local Social Security office about your decision.

If you are already collecting Social Security or Social Security disability, then you will become eligible for Medicare benefits after you have been collect for two years or you have turned 65. Once you become eligible, you will automatically be enrolled in Part A and Part B of Medicare. However, if you do not collect Social Security and you are 65, you will not be automatically enrolled. You can still receive Medicare, but you must apply on your own. To receive Medicare Part D, which covers a portion of your prescription drugs, you must apply, even if are collecting Social Security.

Depending on your needs, you may not need to have both parts of Medicare coverage. If Medicare is your primary insurer, you should consider having both parts. If Medicare is your secondary insurer, you may not want to invest in Part B and only Part A since it is free. Examine your policy and decide what is best for you and what you can afford.

-Proper care and being informed of their medical condition as well as knowing the drugs they have been prescribed. A nursing home resident can also see their own physician.

-They are not allowed to experience abuse and neglect. They must be monitored so they do not become dehydrated or malnourished.

-Residents must be free from restraints unless they are medically required.

-They cannot be discriminated against because of color or religion.

What are the signs of nursing home neglect and abuse?

Some signs are fairly obvious such as broken bones, unexplained injuries, malnutrition, an unsanitary living environment, or unexpected death. Signs of depression or sudden changes in behavior may not be as obvious, but these are still signs of neglect and abuse.

If you do not enroll during your initial enrollment period for Part B coverage; you will have to pay a penalty fee along with your premium each month. Your initial enrollment period to enroll in Part B of Medicare is three months before you turn 65, the month you are 65, and three months after you turn 65. Your premium could increase by 10% for every twelve month period you wait to enroll.

If you are still working and your employer has insurance, you can apply for Part B up to eight months after you retire.

If you are receiving Social Security, you will receive information in the mail about Medicare three months before you turn 65. Once you turn 65, you will automatically be enrolled in Part A and Part B of Medicare insurance.

If you do not collect Social Security, you will not receive information about Medicare. You will have to enroll yourself in Medicare through your local Social Security office.

You can click here to find out information about Medicare if you do not collect Social Security. It is important to educate yourself about the Medicare coverage will receive before you enroll.

Many industrial union contracts in North Carolina provide disability benefits to workers who can no longer do their regular work. Whether you qualify, for how long, and for what benefits depend on the language in the contract. You should ask your shop steward or business agent for a copy of the contract and any application forms you need to fill out to qualify. Union contracts are subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

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